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New Documentary Set To Make Waves
Prolific documentary-maker, David Bradbury, chatted with Filmink about his new surfing film
David Bradbury is one of Australia's most successful documentary makers and his work is inspired by compelling social and political issues. Two of his films, Frontline which profiled war cameraman Neil Davis and Chile: Hasta Cuando? on the brutal military dictatorship of General Pinochet, were nominated for Academy Awards. So what would persuade this prolific documentarian to make a surfing film?
Originally Bradbury took on Going Vertical: The Shortboard Revolution as a favour for friend and producer Robert Raymond but he did not require much convincing. While confessing to being more of a board rider than a surfer, Bradbury says, "I grew up with Midget Farrelly and Bob Brown being heroes of mine so I was happy to take on the job and do my bit with it. Normally it's not the kind of movie I would make but I thought it was interesting to step outside the square."
Filmed in Australia, Hawaii and California and featuring archival footage of surf legends of the past four decades, Going Vertical: The Shortboard Revolution explores one of the surfing world's biggest questions: which country is really responsible for the shortboard revolution - was it the US pioneer Dick Brewer or was it the Australian surfing legend Bob McTavish? The film attempts to share both sides of this absorbing story.
Why does this remain such a contentious issue within the surfing community? "I think a little bit of nationalistic pride has come in there that the Americans have always claimed it and aligned it with Dick Brewer. Robert recalling his old days as a young surfboard rider on the northern beaches of Sydney decided that he'd like to redress the issue and reinvestigate it," Bradbury explains.
When asked whether the film will resonate with audiences who may not surf, Bradbury insists this is more than just another surfing film. "It's got more going for it than that. It's an interesting look at the history and culture of surfing. Today's generation of surfers take it for granted that surfboards have always been like that but in fact it's been an evolution and it's been something that's come at a painful cost to a number of surfers from across the Pacific.
"The film gives a sense of perspective to today's generation of surfers internationally and in Australia that we should be proud of the role we've played in coming up with today's present day generation of surfboards," Bradbury says.
Going Vertical: The Shortboard Revolution will be released in Australian cinemas March 25. For more information, visit the film's website.
Picture caption: Bob McTavish and Dick Brewer